Tony's Diary Package — page 285

JId never destroy your own The suddenly beleaguered Birx is not without allies, however. Even as Trump turned on her, the New York Times reported that others have spoken out in her defense, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi. Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious disease specialist who helms the scientific advisory board for a State Department AIDS program Birx runs, told the New York Times it was Birx who convinced Pence to appear publicly wearing a mask, weeks before Trump relented. In the past, even Anthony Fauci has noted that Birx finds herself "in a difficult position" and that she "essentially lives in the White House." A difficult position indeed. But as Fauci told Politico, "You should never destroy your own credibility. And you don't want to go to war with a president." "But you got to walk the fine balance of making sure continue to tell the truth," he said. Ultimately, the looming loss of more American lives as summer turns to fall should give Deborah Birx pause. At a moment when science and public health have been criminally devalued, fidelity to Trump -- and yes, perhaps her future career prospects -- should be superseded by a simple promise she made many years back as a medical student to "first, do no harm." Jalal Baig Dr. Jalal Baig is a physician and writer. He is an oncologist in Chicago. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Atlantic, Slate, Vice, Salon and elsewhere. Had productive talk with particle and aerosol physicists from DHS who confirmed the fact that particles >5 micrometers do aerosolize. Leader of group was Matthew nMoe. His people were Paul Dabisch, Michael Hevey, Justin Taylor, and Marcia Firmani. Andrea Lerner was with me on the call.